Recap: Sunstroke Launch Videos
In lieu of the recent developments at Sunstroke leading to a regular publication schedule, we wanted to circle back and reflect on our past launch videos for Volumes 2 and 3. Grab some popcorn and press play!
Vol. 3 Launch Video: Passionfruit
Passionfruit, shot at Ember SLC, is still somewhat new (February 2020) and one of my favorite projects. Not only do we play into the concept of passion through sensual fruit texture and touch, but we gathered nine creatives of youth to star in our short film: musicians, dedicated make-up artists, painters, fashion-fanatics and Sunstroke’s very own Web Designer, Lukita Maxwell (Yasnaliz Salas, Alyssa Lark, Rebecca Lark, Jade Draper, Tate Jenson, Holden Holloway, Noe Baker, Salem Kinslow), as well as the community behind the camera: a filmmaker (Casey Segal), a magazine director (myself), and a cinematographer/jack-of-all-trades (Anj McLay). The video shows a gathering of youth celebrating the concept not only of Sunstroke’s issue release, but each and every one of their passions and the community that comes with creativity and youthhood to the tune (Wormwood) of band (Ritt Momney). Although we were unable to have a launch party due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the feeling of community and creative celebration was translated through select imagery by our passionate team.
Photographs captured by anj mclay
Issue 2 Release Video: Purple Haze
Vol. 2 was the biggest stepping stone for Sunstroke. Curated and published from 2017-2018, it was centered around the concept of nostalgia and the transformation from adolescence into adulthood — in honor of the fact I was graduating high school, planning to move to Portland for school and leaving behind my childhood behind. While I was never able to leave my hometown of Salt Lake City due to financial reasons, I still found a huge shift in my life during and after the making of the issue. I was reflecting on what brought me to that point. The issue focuses on not only my own adolescence but the contributors’ as well.
This short film was made to stand as a collection of hazy memories of my high school years and moments of heartbreak, love and self-discovery, portrayed by MiaBella Brickey, Ben Mason and Anna Grayson, co-directed by myself and Grayson, shot by Sam Resetarits and edited by Anj McLay. Although this was my first time dabbling in filmmaking as a soon-to-be high school graduate, the messy collection of clips still ignites a sense of nostalgia, and I can taste the painful and happy moments that were high school. It was filmed in the same coffee shops, canyons, kitchens and fields and re-enacted the same minutes spent in my teenage years. On top of the hazy imagery, Ritt Momney’s “Something in General” plays somberly and highlights the concept of self-discovery.
Sunstroke is more than a magazine! We have found home in many forms of art, and video is just the start. We can’t wait to continue to create videos and films for our brand and for you. Submit your short films or pitches for short films to be held on our site, YouTube or Vimeo and IGTV at hello@sunstrokemagazine.com.